Gain both theoretical and applied knowledge of clinical cognitive neuroscience. Cognitive neuroscience combines techniques and skills including psychometric testing, electroencephalography (EEG), eye tracking and imaging techniques – for application to neuropathological and healthy groups in clinical, academic or biomedical settings. Various neurobiological mechanisms of cognitive and perceptual functions with demonstration of practical recordings, as well as psychology experimental software are taught on the course.
This course is ideal if you
The course gives you the knowledge and skills to evaluate cognitive and brain function and dysfunction in healthy and neuropathological groups. You learn to understand the important ethical issues involved in neuroscientific research targeted at various age groups and people with range of cognitive abilities, as well as developmental disorders.
You have an opportunity to learn psychophysiological recording techniques, including electrocardiogram (ECG), Skin Conductance (SC), performance speed and accuracy, as well as perceptual mechanisms using Eprime, Martlab and other specialist software.
We also build your research skills enabling you to work as an independent researcher in this area. You have the opportunity to attend workshops run by experts from relevant professions and fields of work. Examples include private clinical consultants, NHS neuropsychologist, teaching staff from the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology course at the University of Sheffield and alumni from our course working in academia and the private sector.
Our specialist learning resources include psychometric measures for assessing cognitive function and 3D model brains for understanding neuroanatomy. You learn to use specialist equipment including • EEG • transcranial magnetic stimulation • analysis of Biopack • structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data • visuo-psychophysics equipment.
Some lectures are taught by guest tutors including clinical psychologists and neuroimaging experts.
You are automatically affiliated with our Brain, Behaviour and Cognition Research Group, which
International students are most welcome on this course. At Sheffield Hallam University we provide international students with a wealth of support, from pre-arrival right up to, and including, study support while you are studying here. Please see the International Experience Team webpage for more information.
Full-time – one year
Part-time – typically one day per week for two years
Core modules
This course gives you the skills to work in both academic and clinical settings with healthy population and diverse neuropathological groups.
Graduates have the skills and knowledge to work in roles involved in assessing and evaluating cognitive function and dysfunction in healthy ageing across the lifespan and patient groups including people with Parkinson’s disease, head injury, dementia, and other neuropathological conditions.
During the course you benefit from employability sessions, where our alumni currently working in academia or industry, clinical psychologists and professionals from private research companies discuss possible career choices.
You may find roles in academic and clinical contexts using methods of neuroscience such as • functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) • structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) • electroencephalogram (EEG) • transcranial magnetic stimulation • eye tracking techniques • visual psychophysics.
You can also complete further cognitive neuroscience postgraduate academic work.
The Neurobiology Division conducts research in the fields of neurobiology and neuropathology. We investigate mechanisms that regulate normal brain function as well as the causes and consequences of dysfunction during ageing and in acute or chronic neurodegenerative disease.
The division has an excellent track-record in the supervision and training of postgraduate students by staff highly experienced in teaching and research. It has 13 Group Leaders and 1 career track fellow who supervise more than 10 postgraduate students.
Why our work is important
Some of our current research focuses on:
In addressing these fundamental questions we contribute to the improvement of both animal and human health, livestock productivity and welfare.
Students will be able to take advantage of our multidisciplinary tools including proteomics, bio-imaging, computer-aided behavioural analysis, genetics, molecular biology, in vitro cell models, transgenic rodent models and natural diseases of large animals to dissect biological networks in the nervous and immune systems. The Roslin Institute is uniquely placed to transfer our experience of rodent models into livestock species such as sheep and pigs.
Studentships are of 3 or 4 years duration and students will be expected to complete a novel piece of research which will advance our understanding of the field. To help them in this goal, students will be assigned a principal and assistant supervisor, both of whom will be active scientists at the Institute. Student progress is monitored in accordance with School Postgraduate (PG) regulations by a PhD thesis committee (which includes an independent external assessor and chair). There is also dedicated secretarial support to assist these committees and the students with regard to University and Institute matters.
All student matters are overseen by the Schools PG studies committee. The Roslin Institute also has a local PG committee and will provide advice and support to students when requested. An active staff:student liaison committee and a social committee, which is headed by our postgraduate liaison officer, provide additional support.
Students are expected to attend a number of generic training courses offered by the Transkills Programme of the University and to participate in regular seminars and laboratory progress meetings. All students will also be expected to present their data at national and international meetings throughout their period of study.
In 2011 the Roslin Institute moved to a new state-of-the-art building on the University of Edinburgh's veterinary campus at Easter Bush. Our facilities include: rodent, bird and livestock animal units and associated lab areas; comprehensive bioinformatic and genomic capability; a range of bioimaging facilities; extensive molecular biology and cell biology labs; café and auditorium where we regularly host workshops and invited speakers.
